Where is the Peak District? (Our must-see attractions)

Perhaps you’ve heard of the astounding beauty of the Peak District or seen it showcased in a film or TV program and you’re keen to discover more.

But where is the Peak District?

This national park covers areas from central to northern England and encompasses parts of several regions including Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, South and West Yorkshire, as well as Staffordshire and Cheshire.

As an area, it's not exactly short of attractions to visit, but the four below are particularly popular - and well suited to families and adults alike.

Chatsworth House

It is impossible not to be impressed by Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.

In addition to the luxurious interior, the grounds are equally grand. The large pond, fountain and pretty maze are set against a great backdrop of the River Derwent.

Behind Chatsworth House is a fun farmyard to explore, including live milking demonstrations. The adventure playground is great fun for children too.

General opening times are from around mid-March to late December, though you should check the Chatsworth House website for specific dates. There are a range of tickets to choose from, but all-inclusive tickets for the house, farmyard and garden are £19 for adults and £13 for children, with family tickets for two adults and three children costing £55.

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall is a medieval manor house in Derbyshire. From the banqueting hall to the chapel, there is no shortage of interesting things to see there - and you may recognise some scenes from the Hall's fair share of TV and film appearances, including within The Princess Bride and film versions of Jane Eyre.

When you’ve explored the interiors, you can stroll around the gorgeous gardens down to the bank of the River Wye, which flows beside Haddon Hall.

Opening times vary depending on the time of year but are generally from March to October and early December. Adult tickets are £10 each and child tickets are £5.50, with family tickets costing £28 for two adults and three kids.

Castleton Caverns

As stunning as the surface landscape is, there is a lot to explore underground as well. The Castleton Caverns in Hope Valley in Derbyshire are a collection of four underground caves.

Rare Blue John Stone is mined in Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern (unfortunately the mining happens in areas that aren't accessible to visitors). Peak Cavern, near Castleton, is the only completely natural cavern, but also the largest.

You can travel by boat along an underground canal in Speedwell Cavern and can spot the Bottomless Pit, a big hole filled with water located at the canal's end. With informative guides and underground marvels to be seen, the caverns are a great attraction for the whole family.

Adult tickets for Peak Cavern are £9 and for Speedwell Cavern are £9.50, with a joint ticket for both caverns costing £15.50. Tickets for children aged 5 to 15 years old cost £7 for Peak Cavern and £7.50 for Speedwell, while a joint ticket costs £11.75. Tickets for Blue John Cavern are £4.50 for children and £9 for adults, while Treak Cliff Cavern tickets are £8.75 for adults and £4.75 for children aged 5 to 15 years old.

The caves are normally open most of the year, but it’s best to check the websites for the caverns to confirm opening times before you visit.

Lyme Hall and Lyme Park

Fans of the BBC's 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice will recognise Lyme Hall in Cheshire as the elegant building used to represent Pemberley.

You'll fall in love with the Lyme Park's deer herds, and the breathtaking woodland and moorland which you can explore on foot. There's also an area for mountain biking and a play area for kids.

Lyme Hall is generally accessible from February to October and Lyme Park is open year round. Tickets for the house and garden cost £9.90 for adults, £4.95 for children or £22.50 for a family ticket.

Other things to do

The Peak District has lots of other incredible attractions as well of course, from museums and monuments to rock climbing and hang gliding. Or perhaps you like a good waterfall (not something the park is particularly known for, but pretty walks all the same).

There is also an array of campsites and caravan parks to choose from which will help you explore the Peak District National Park to your heart's content and make the most of your visit.

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